Aug. 31.
In all too-untimely fashion death, in tragic guise, has overtaker. the House of Brabant and plunged the people of Belgium into mourning.; That sorrow is shared by many countries. In Sweden and in Italy dynasties suffer a the motor-car accident which has so suddenly turned a royal holiday into a Inational bereavement. King. Leo-old, in the space of less than two: years, has lost a beloved father and fan adored wife. The first. loss jealled upon him to assume the heavy responsibilities of kingship in' which his gracious consort, (Queen Astrid, gave him true wifely support, enhanced as it was by the simple "traditions of royal duty taught in her own family in Stock holm. The second loss has snatched from the young King his hhelpmeet and the mother of his three children, in circumstances of exceptional poignancy. Her per~ sent gifts, of character and pres-fence had long endeared the Swedish princess to the nation of her adoption. In the short time her investment in the rank of Queen-Consort she had shown that the part which she had played as Duchess of Brabant would be extended and amplified in the greater opportunities offered by the Throne.
real sense she identified herself' with the people and was a potent influence in helping her able fand sympathetic husband to discharge his important duties as a worthy successor to a great father.
Monarchical institutions have been called in question from time! to time. In the present era they Ihave been confidently described as fanachronisms. Hardly has the confidence so lightly expressed itself than evidence to the contrary has been promptly produced. Thrones have fallen in Europe but it is no mere coincidence that where they have remained in the full strength of national affection and trust, the canons of liberty and freedom have found greater scope than has been possible under other systems of government. Nor can it be denied that the movements in Central Europe for the restoration lot dynasties have for their inspira~ tion something more than mere: political expediency. The House of Brabant, by its unswerving devotion to the business of kingship, has played a noble part in vindicat~ {ing the monarchical state. Next~ door to Belgium there is another kingdom with ancient traditions splendid service to the world. Its gracious ruler, to-day celebrating liber birthday, has afforded an exceptionally fine example of leadership in constitutional government. The kingdoms of Scandinavia, to which the royal family of Belgium are so closely allied, have followed the same course in uniting kingly wisdom and dignity with the vigorous principles of unfettered democratic peoples. The charming] lady, whose death has come sadly to shock the world, without that played her part well in preserving those traditions.
The Kingdom of the Belgians!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.